Three steps to finally kick off January

January is a tricky month. You’ve already lost a week by the time you get into it and the expectations of an All-New-Start are extraordinarily high. Shoots don’t always kick off immediately and you can find yourself procrastinating the marketing tasks you know you need to do.

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, confused, behind or directionless as you start 2026, you’re definitely not alone. Here are three things you can try (and some more reading if you’re still on holiday):

1. Hone in.

Train your focus on what you do want, and narrow down. Choose one style/ visual voice, one personal project, one goal, one word for the year, etc. Read this to understand the clarity that’s actually right in front of you: https://christinaforce.net/the-clarity-thats-right-in-front-of-you/

2. Declutter:

Ditch the rest (at least for now)! What can you let go to remove undue pressure? What don’t you need? Two location photographers I’m working with are ditching their unused and costly studios, along with unnecessary gear and everything else that was dumped in there. But even clearing out your Emails can create space in your brain.

Here are some more ideas, from an old (but very honest) blog post: https://christinaforce.net/how-to-make-space-for-better-clients-and-more-money/

3. Work on your elevator pitch.

It helps to start the year being able to clearly articulate what you do, in a way which will hold the interest of the listener (and it’s not ‘I’m a photographer/ director’ or ‘I shoot cars’.) Here’s a breakdown on how to rethink and approach this: https://christinaforce.net/your-elevator-pitch/

This past 2 weeks I’ve already met with over 30 photographers, and I love the clarity, excitement and motivation they’re finding on those calls.

Wishing you gallons of the same, and if you’re not already working with me or had a discovery / strategy call, now might be the time.